Day 2 – Robbed in Chongqing – I am so lucky!
Strange title, isn’t it?! Well, here’s what happened…
Friday morning I headed out to Wai Mao Shi Chang (Foreign Exports Market) to buy some ‘large’ clothes. I had a wonderful time exploring the mazes of shops in several large buildings and chatting with the sales clerks.
Just as I was leaving the marketplace, I happened to glance down – the zipper to my little black bag was OPEN! I was upset, but not overly so – I figured, okay, the guy who just stole my money wasn’t going to get too much (I always make sure not to put much in my wallet). But as I explored my bag further I realized he also took my little black wallet which contained all my cards: ID, credit cards, bank card, police registration in China – NOW I WAS REALLY UPSET!
You know, I consider myself quite vigilant and aware, so I just couldn’t believe how stupid I was. How the heck did someone get close enough to me to open my bag and take two things out of it. I keep it directly in front of it, with my hand over it most of the time! How did I not notice? The reality of what had just happened was finally getting to me and I headed into a hotel where I desperately needed to sit down and catch my breath. My mind was flying – I need to cancel my credit cards! But I couldn’t remember which cards I had brought with me. And, the emergency telephone numbers were also in that little black wallet! Thankfully, I still had my airplane tickets and my passport, as well as more cash stashed away behind a zippered pocket in the bag.
Once I had calmed myself down, I realized there was nothing more I could do until I returned home the next day. In the meantime, since I still had money, I should at least continue my day and go and see Huguang Huiguan.
Huguang Huiguan or Guild Hall, with its high walls and tiled roofs, flying eaves and exquisite wood carvings is a collection of Guild Halls built by Chongqing Governors and Merchant Trading groups from other regions of southern China. It contains several local Opera Theatres, a small museum and art galleries. Opened in October 2005 this beautifully restored complex of traditional architecture is located on the banks of the Yangtze. It is worth visiting for the architecture alone. Many of the original buildings and wood-carved theatres are original, and many well-worn stone doorways, stairs and flagstones can be seen. The complex is located above a large portion of the old city wall and one of the city gates, Dong Shui Men, is outside the exit/entrance.
This is where my story gets really interesting!
I was still shaking when I arrived at the Guild Hall, so I told the guides, I wanted to sit down for a minute. Most of the girls had great English and gathered around, offering me water and sympathy as I told my tale. But, in the middle of it, my mobile phone started to ring. It was a Chinese caller so I passed my phone to one of the guides. Turns out, the caller had found my black wallet! I’m glad I put my business card in it. I don’t usually bring my mobile with me either, so it was a good thing I did!
Long story short: The manager of the Guild insisted I take Edie (one of the guides) with me and we went to find the man’s shop. It was really difficult to find and involved us stopping to ask for help many times. Finally a man gestured to us from across the street, asking if I was the tourist from Canada. I was, so he told us to follow him while he led us through yet another maze of shops – I was starting to worry a bit – where was he taking us? Should I be afraid?
Finally, we found ourselves in a local shoe shop where the man was waiting for us. A friendly Chongqing man, he presented me with the wallet and asked me to check the contents. EVERYTHING WAS THERE! I could not believe my eyes! I thanked him profusely and attempted to present him with a reward. He frantically shook his head and waved his hands. “No, no”. He said he wanted nothing, that it was his ‘duty’ to help the tourists. I was so surprised and impressed. The man told me that the thief is known in the area – he is from Xinjiang and his people are very poor. To be honest, I had first suspected that this man was the thief and simply wanted me to give him a huge reward since he probably could not use the credit cards.
This man reinforced my initial impression that Chongqing people are very friendly. Before the theft, I had already experienced several interactions with local people and have been very impressed with how helpful and friendly they are. Even the taxi drivers! Whenever the taxi fare is more than a Yuan, ie Yuan 11.30, I give them 12 Yuan and they want to give 1 Yuan back. Unbelievable!
So, my guide from Huguang Huiguan and I eventually made it back. I asked to meet with the Manager to make sure the guide would not be fired (we were gone a long time). He smiled and said no problem, that it was their ‘duty’ to help the tourists. He then asked my new friend to give me a personal tour of Huguang Huiguan. Although I had paid the entrance fee, I was not asked to pay for an English Guide – Invaluable!
Be sure to visit Huguang Huiguan if you have a chance. The architecture is really quite wonderful, but you can’t beat the hospitality of the people working there! Say Hello to Edie for me! She’s my saviour!
This whole experience taught me a valuable lesson. First of all, I realize I have become far too comfortable while living in China. From now on, no matter where I travel in China, I will remember to use my ‘money belt’. And I will continue to believe in the goodwill of most people I meet. I will not let negative experiences tarnish the overall experience. If I had not decided to go and visit Huguang Huiguan, my story would have had a bad ending. Most Chongqing people don’t speak English, so who could have helped me when the man called?
Tomato Kitchen
Before I came to Chongqing, I got in touch with a teacher whose posts I have read often on the internet. He helped me out a great deal, suggesting places to go and see as well as letting me know whether or not it was safe to go to Chongqing.
I invited him and his wife out for dinner that evening and got a chance to learn more about live in Chongqing. We went to the Tomato Kitchen (on Nanping Lu – there are several locations). I can’t recommend it highly enough. I had the best salad, I have ever eaten in China, and my pasta dish was wonderful. What stands out about this restaurant are the prices. Back in Hangzhou I would have paid 50-60 for the pasta dish, but at Tomato Kitchen is was only 36 Yuan. The prices are very reasonable and I hope they will open a restaurant in Hangzhou one day!
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